Landscapes of Memory

The paintings and drawings by Thijs Buit (Hattem, 1934) arise from a constant interplay between observing, remembering and painting. A subject can be explored again and again in different ways. This movement between tradition and change is characteristic of his artistry.

Buit does not repeat himself, even though he sometimes continues to work on the same theme for a long time. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it is precisely here that his strength lies. He ‘reads’ the landscape, as it were, and a landscape is never the same. Trees, houses and roads turn out not to be fixed elements; they change in line with the way the painter looks at them. It is always a matter of seeking anew the right balance between form and colour.

The exhibition ‘Landscapes of Memory’ by Thijs Buit at Museum Henriette Polak features 25 works spanning more than four decades and will be on display in De Etalage from 4 September to 15 November 2026. The museum is particularly delighted with the donation of a large number of paintings and works on paper pledged by Thijs Buit. The works form a wonderful addition to the museum’s collection.

To accompany the exhibition, a beautifully bound publication will be released, featuring previously unpublished images and texts by various authors about the artist.

Image: Village by the River, Thijs Buit, 2025, oil on canvas.